Well we have looked at Emotion, and then swung wildly across the spectrum to Fun, and now we are completing that trifecta with looking at Tension. Tension is one of the most challenging facets of filmmaking to pull off because it requires the script, direction, acting, and editing to all work in tandem to evoke the perfect pace. If just one part of that group misses then an essential part of the film falls apart.

In 2021 we continued to see some excellent use of tension used to build mystery, or to be the harbinger of the coming dread, or even the ticking clock of inevitability.   

So without further ado, these are the moments of tension that kept us on the edge of our seats in 2021. Be warned that there may be some slight spoilers ahead for the films in question. Also, you can click on the titles for the full review.

A Quiet Place Part II

When every single sound can be your death it makes every moment that much fraught.   

Directed by – John Krasinski
Written by – John Krasinski
Based on – Characters created by Bryan Woods & Scott Beck
Edited by – Michael P. Shawver

Greenland

Desperately trying to get your family to safety as the world collapses around you.   

Directed by – Ric Roman Waugh
Written by – Chris Sparling
Edited by – Gabriel Fleming

Old

When you realise that you are aging at an accelerated pace, and you have hours before you die of old age.       

Directed by – M. Night Shyamalan
Screenplay by – M. Night Shyamalan
Based on – Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Levy & Frederik Peeters
Edited by – Brett M. Reed

Those Who Wish Me Dead

How do you escape when a wall of fire is bearing down upon you.  

Directed by – Taylor Sheridan
Screenplay by – Michael Koryta, Charles Leavitt & Taylor Sheridan
Based on – Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta
Edited by – Chad Galster

Stowaway

You have enough oxygen for three people, but you just found a forth onboard.     

Directed by – Joe Penna
Written by – Joe Penna & Ryan Morrison
Edited by – Ryan Morrison

And the Winner is!!!!! – Greenland

One of the biggest surprises this year was just how much impact Greenland had on me when I watched it. There is a terror of knowing the world is about to end and there is only a small window to get your family to safety. This is escalated in moments where the family gets separated and you feel the moment growing and there is nothing you can do about it. A lot of disaster films focus on the disaster, this focused on the people and it better for it.         

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

What are your favourite cinematic moments from 2021?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images used were created by the respective studio and artist of each film